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Monday, March 4, 2013

Last Chance to Protect Conscience

The chance to protect religious freedom is now. Contact your Representative and tell them to personally call on House Leadership to include conscience protections for religious organizations in the must pass, final 2013 spending bill known as the "Continuing Resolution" (CR).

This is the best, and likely only, opportunity to protect religious freedom this year as many organizations, religious institutions and businesses face millions of dollars in daily fines once the mandate goes into effect.

Without action, beginning in June, businesses such as Hobby Lobby who put their faith in action will be fined $1.3 million a day because of their refusal to comply with the administration's mandate that businesses provide abortion inducing drugs in their insurance plans. They are currently in legal proceedings to defend their rights of conscience but in the meantime, the livelihoods of hundreds of families hangs in the balance.

But what about the so-called "accommodation?" The government mandate exempts churches but not other religious non-profit employers, such as religious charities, hospitals, universities and private individuals. The one year "safe harbor," that delayed the effects of the mandate until after last year's elections is set to expire this summer, after which point they will be forced to cover free abortion inducing drugs, sterilizations and contraceptives in their insurance plans.

Let's be clear, the Obama administration's attempts at "accommodating" religious employers have been nothing but smoke and mirrors.

The government's latest proposed regulation forcesthe insurer to provide coverage of objectionable services to employees - at the objector's cost! Rather than using accounting gimmicks, religious charities, health care providers, and other religious employers should be exempt. And companies like Hobby Lobby should not be forced to violate their deeply held beliefs or face fines!

We need you to urge your Member of Congress to personally ask House Leadership (Speaker John Boehner, Majority Leader Eric Cantor, and Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy) to insert conscience protection legislation into the final FY2013 "CR."

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About PFOX

Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX) is a national non-profit organization committed to helping ex-gays and parents and friends of gays who want help, hope and community. PFOX exists to educate, support, and advocate for individuals and parents on the issue of same-sex attraction, and increase others’ understanding and acceptance of the ex-gay community.
To learn more about PFOX, visit our official website at www.pfox.org.